The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scheduled a mop-up examination for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This initiative aims to accommodate candidates who faced challenges during the main and resit examinations, including biometric verification issues and absenteeism. The scheduled mop-up underscores JAMB’s commitment to reforming exam accessibility and fairness, ensuring that all candidates have an equitable opportunity to participate in the admission process.
Understanding the Mop-Up Examination
Who Is Eligible?
The upcoming mop-up examination is designed for:
- Candidates with Biometric Verification Failures: Approximately 5,096 candidates experienced issues with biometric verification during the main UTME, preventing them from sitting for the exam.
- Absentees: Around 91,742 candidates were absent from either the main or resit examinations, making them eligible for the mop-up.
- Spill-Over Candidates: These are candidates who could not complete their examinations in previous sessions due to various reasons.
In total, about 96,838 candidates are expected to participate in the mop-up examination.
Logistics and Preparation
- Exam Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025.
- Commencement Time: The first session will begin at 8:00 a.m.
- Centre Allocation: The examination will be conducted in 183 centres across Nigeria.
- Action Required: Eligible candidates are advised to print their examination notification slips starting from Monday, June 23, 2025, to confirm their exam details.
This mop-up examination represents a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by candidates during the initial UTME sessions.
The CBT Centre Controversy
Fingerprint Irregularities
During the 2025 UTME registration process, 11 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were implicated in fingerprint irregularities. These issues raised concerns about the integrity of the biometric verification process, which is crucial for preventing impersonation and ensuring fairness in the examination process.
Sanctions Imposed
In response to these irregularities, JAMB has recommended stringent sanctions against the implicated CBT centres and their registrants. The proposed measures include:
- Three-Year Ban: Affected centres face a three-year ban from participating in future JAMB examinations.
- Ethical Training: Centres found guilty are required to undergo ethical training to prevent future occurrences.
- Legal Actions: Registrants involved in the irregularities may face legal consequences, including prosecution.
These actions underscore JAMB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process and ensuring fairness for all candidates.
Reforming Exam Accessibility and Fairness
Challenges in the Current System
The 2025 UTME highlighted several challenges in the examination system, including:
- Biometric Verification Failures: Technical issues led to the exclusion of some candidates from the examination.
- Infrastructure Limitations: Inadequate facilities in some CBT centres affected the smooth conduct of the examination.
- Malpractices: Instances of impersonation and other fraudulent activities compromised the integrity of the examination process.
Proposed Reforms
To address these challenges, JAMB has outlined several reforms:
- Enhanced Monitoring: Implementation of stricter oversight mechanisms for CBT centres to ensure compliance with established standards.
- Infrastructure Development: Investment in upgrading existing facilities to meet required standards and accommodate the growing number of candidates.
- Candidate Support: Provision of additional support for candidates facing technical challenges, including dedicated helpdesks and troubleshooting assistance.
- Legal Framework: Strengthening legal provisions to deter and punish exam malpractices, ensuring that violators face appropriate consequences.
These reforms aim to create a more accessible and fair examination system for all candidates.
The Role of Stakeholders
The successful implementation of these reforms requires the active participation of all stakeholders:
- Government: Ensuring adequate funding and policy support for educational reforms.
- Educational Institutions: Collaborating with JAMB to maintain exam integrity and uphold standards.
- Candidates: Adhering to ethical standards and reporting any observed malpractices to the appropriate authorities.
By working together, these stakeholders can contribute to the creation of a more transparent and equitable examination system.
Looking Ahead
JAMB’s commitment to reforming exam accessibility and fairness is evident in its actions and proposed reforms. The scheduled mop-up examination on June 28, 2025, serves as a testament to this commitment, providing affected candidates with an opportunity to participate in the admission process.
Looking ahead, JAMB plans to introduce more robust systems to prevent future irregularities, including:
- Digital Solutions: Adoption of advanced technology to streamline the registration and examination processes.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating candidates and stakeholders about the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
- Continuous Improvement: Regular reviews and updates to policies and procedures to adapt to changing circumstances and technological advancements.
Through these initiatives, JAMB aims to ensure a fair and accessible examination system for all candidates.
The scheduled mop-up examination on June 28, 2025, represents a critical step in addressing the challenges faced during the 2025 UTME cycle. By implementing reforms and strengthening oversight mechanisms, JAMB is working towards creating a more accessible and fair examination system. However, the success of these efforts depends on the active participation of all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, and candidates. Together, we can contribute to the development of a transparent and equitable examination process that upholds the principles of fairness and integrity.
